Iberostar Group Partners with FishWise to Launch a Global Sustainable Seafood Training Program

Created on Monday, 22 April 2019

Santa Cruz, California (April 22, 2019) — FishWise, a non-profit sustainable seafood consultancy, announced a new partnership with international tourism company Iberostar Group. The partnership’s goal is to bolster education and training across Iberostar’s family of 32,000 employees on responsible seafood consumption, one of three priority action areas under the company’s Wave of Change movement. By enabling employees to confidently message Wave of Change concepts to Iberostar’s eight million annual guests, Iberostar and FishWise’s ultimate aim is to inspire responsible seafood consumption amongst travelers both during and after their stays.

Iberostar Group operates over 120 four- and five-star hotels in 18 countries, the majority of which are located on seafront properties. Recognizing their unique position in both the hospitality and ocean landscapes as an opportunity to set a new, scalable business model for ocean stewardship in tourism, Iberostar launched Wave of Change in 2017 to tackle coastal health, plastics reduction, and seafood.

“Providing responsible seafood options to our guests goes hand-in-hand with Iberostar’s tradition of gastronomic excellence,” said Dr. Megan Morikawa, Director of Sustainability for Iberostar. “We realize, however, that seafood is uniquely complex, and that the potential impact of Wave of Change hinges on empowering our employees to fully understand why we are taking these actions. We are excited to partner with FishWise to untangle this complexity and equip our team with the knowledge needed for success.”

The partnership will leverage FishWise’s 15+ years of experience working closely with businesses to develop and implement comprehensive seafood sustainability programs, which are underpinned by a strong foundation of employee training. For Iberostar, FishWise envisions the training programs will not only increase seafood sustainability awareness throughout the company, but will also further embed Wave of Change as a key part of the identity and culture of the multinational hotelier.

True to the scale and ambition of the Wave of Change movement, part of Iberostar’s action plan is to communicate the message of responsible seafood consumption to guests as an enhancement to their travel experience. By participating in comprehensive training, employees will be able to help familiarize guests with how their dinner choices connect to a more sustainable future, with the intention of inspiring continued ocean stewardship once they’ve returned home.

“The level of commitment and passion within Iberostar to create a transformative business model centered around ocean health is truly inspiring,” said Ashley Greenley, Director of Business Engagement at FishWise. “When it comes to progressive companies, they are the real deal.”

FishWise launched the partnership with site visits to Iberostar’s Playa Paraíso complex in Mexico, which serves as the company’s headquarters for the Americas region, to connect with staff on operations, structure, and current needs. After hearing from representatives across all geographies, FishWise will work with Iberostar to develop and implement the training over the next several months.

“Wave of Change was initiated less than two years ago, but Iberostar has already made significant steps in each of its three lines of action, and we’re seeing genuine enthusiasm for the movement at all levels of the company,” said Greenley. “We’re thrilled to be building on this momentum to broaden awareness–and deliver results–on seafood.”

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About FishWise

FishWise is a non-profit sustainable seafood consultancy based in Santa Cruz, CA. Uniquely positioned between the seafood industry and marine conservation organizations, FishWise offers a range of services that empower businesses and a diverse community of collaborators to lead the transition to a sustainable, ethically responsible seafood industry. For more information, please visit www.fishwise.org, and follow FishWise’s work on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

About Iberostar Group

The Iberostar Group is a 100% family-owned Spanish multinational company based in Palma de Mallorca (Spain) that has been operating in the tourist sector since 1956 and whose business activity dates back to 1877. Its sales network covers 35 countries, it has a staff of more than 32,000 employees and handles eight million customers a year. Hospitality is the company’s core business, with a portfolio of more than 120 four and five star hotels located in 18 countries on three continents. In addition to the hotels, the Group has a further three business units: travel and incoming activities, a holiday club and real estate.

Iberostar Group is owned by the Fluxá family and chaired by Miguel Fluxá Rosselló, founder of the Group’s current hotel unit and the Iberostar Hotels & Resorts brand. His daughters Sabina and Gloria are the Company’s two Vice-Chairwomen. Sabina is also the Group’s CEO and Gloria holds the post of Chief Sustainability Officer.